Rifles for Less Permissive Places

Self-loading long guns define the modern sporting rifle. Love or hate it, Eugene Stoner’s influential design is the basis of the longest serving rifle in United States military history, one of the most popular actions for civilian and law enforcement use, the modern sporting rifle archetype, and the dominant platform in a number of precision and speed oriented shooting competition disciplines.

Decades of statistics from government agency reports such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation Uniform Crime Report and the Centers of Disease Control National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) have shown about twice as many homicides are committed using "personal weapons" (the perpetrator’s hands or feet) than by all forms of rifles, not merely the unfairly and overly-maligned AR-15. Sadly, facts rarely convince those swayed by emotional appeal.

As proof of this, a number of countries and individual states have passed legal restrictions against these types of long guns despite no legitimate data indicating any such necessity nor any reliable statistics demonstrating such bans help solve any problem. Of course, there are no end of other shooting options, however, some shooters enjoy features common on such rifles.

Here is around up of manual repeaters offering the same features as self-loading modern sporting rifles that are more likely to be legal where semi-automatics have been restricted. Lever Action Accessories Standard lever action rifles have been offering fast handling and fast shooting for more than one and a half centuries. Attendance at any organized Cowboy Action Shooting event will confirm this. Of course, these were first designed long before today’s sighting and modularity options were common.

No need to let that stop you from updating lever actions with a modern flair. Ranger Point Precision (RangerPointStore.com, was started by Adam and Kimberly Devine to build custom lever actions and the parts to support these builds. The company makes performance parts for Henry Repeating Arms, Marlin Firearms, Winchester Repeating Arms, and Rossi 92 rifles compatible with modern versions and older versions manufactured as early as 1950.

Part types include improved loop levers, improved extractors, trigger kits, loading gates, and action components. They also make various peep sights, fiber optic front sights, dovetail fillers, and optic mounts. Accessory options such as M-LOK handguards and cartridge quivers for more flexibility and easy access to ammo. Midwest Industries, (MidwestIndustriesInc.com, offers a line of accessories for Marlin lever action rifles.

Constructed from hard coat anodized 6061 aluminum, their handguards are just over 13.6 inches long and weigh six ounces. Rifles without handguard caps or with a forward barrel band can use the optional

Rifles without a handguard cap and/or with a barrel band can use the optional MI-MAR336A adapter to install this M-LOK handguard. Center MI-MAR336A adapter to install the handguard. As a M-LOK handguard, and type of accessories can be mounted. These kits include a five-slot M-LOK rail section (more can be added) and features a forward mounted sling swivel for the use of conventional hunting slings. MI also makes sighting accessories.

The MI-1895-GRR (Ghost Ring Rail) is hardcoat anodized 6061 aluminum featuring a ghost ring rear sight and mating front sight along with a four-inch Picatinny rail section. The iron sight has a wide windage and elevation adjustment range to accommodate a variety of different ammunition and a sight adjustment tool is included. XS Sights (XSsights.com, is now offering modernizing options for Henry rifles.

The XS Lever Rail upgrades the Henry 45-70 Government round barrel models to allow for mounting of XS Ghost Ring sights or an optic in multiple positions. Made of lightweight anodized aluminum, the rail unit is machined to Picatinny specs and allows scope mounting directly over the receiver or forward for scout scopes or red dot sights. Installation requires the removal of the factory rear sight. All screws torque to 20 inch-pounds.

The XS Ghost Ring WS sets are fully adjustable for windage and elevation and come with two apertures (0.230" and 0.191" inside diameter) for different conditions and shooter preference. For a manual take on the PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine), POF-USA (POF-USA.com, offers the Tombstone, a modern lever-action chambered in a pistol caliber, initially offered in 9mm. The Tombstone uses the same 20 and 10-round magazines as the semi-automatic POF-USA Phoenix.

With an overall length of 36", the Tombstone weighs 5.75 pounds unloaded and has a smooth trigger that breaks at 3.5 pounds. The 16.5" free-floating 4150 steel barrel with removable dual port muzzle break is complimented by a 10.5" Modular Receiver Rail (M. R. R.), with Below center: POF-USA Tombstone, a magazine-fed 9mm lever action carbine. M-LOK slots at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock along with a 2" Picatinny rail at 12 o’clock.

In addition to rails for mounting your sight of choice, integrated XS Ghost Ring sights are included. Sticking with lever actions, Fight Lite (FightLite.com, offers a manually repeating AR-15. The Herring Model 2024 uses the same stock and bolt carrier as the company’s Sport-Configurable Rifle, a self-loading rifle with a more traditional stock design (including wood options) based on the AR-15.

The M2024 takes this idea and makes it a lever action while using the same bolts, barrels, chamberings, magazines, and aftermarket accessories compatible with Arma Lite-type rifles. Straight Pull The internal piston design patented by Eugene Stoner was motivated primarily to save weight as noted in the original patent application. Weight saving measures included having the bolt and bolt carrier serve dual roles as gas piston and gas sleeve, respectively. The more typical metal operating rod or long piston exten-

sion was replaced with a light tube to transport gas pressure to the piston (rear of the bolt) forcing the sleeve (bolt carrier) to be worked rearward, actuating the action. This had the additional benefit of improved accuracy potential. Lacking a large metal op rod and/ or piston moving and resetting for each shot eliminates potential accuracy-robbing variability.

Competition shooters in the Service Rifle High Power discipline have noted a well-built match AR-15 is like a "gas-operated bolt action" in its accuracy, especially when compared to accurizing the more finicky M1A/M14 for Across The Course shooting. Removing the gas tube and modifying the bolt carrier with a pull handle converts the AR-15 into a manual straight pull bolt action rather than a gas operated one. As expected, most shooters find little to no accuracy benefit to doing this.

Such accuracy improvement in a manually operated AR is not common and that benefit is slight when it does occur, however, faced with silly legal restrictions, this keeps an AR-15 still shooting. For example, the Australia International High Power Association includes American-style High Power in addition to Fullbore and Service Conditions shooting and maintain membership with the U. S. Civilian Marksmanship Program.

Due to their national laws, AR-15s used in Australia are manual repeaters converted to straight pull bolt actions. Some of the Australia High Power Rifle team compete in the CMP National Matches at Camp Perry where they use their lower receivers with American-legal gas operated self loaders. Previously, this was a custom proposition as there’s no sensible mechanical reason to convert an AR-15 into a straight pull bolt action.

Given the restrictions in some locations, some companies have made this into a standard catalog option. Southern Gun Company (Southern-Gun. Co.uk, +44 1208 851074) is a gun maker based in the United Kingdom. Ever since their politicians passed legislation creating a self-loading rifle ban in 1988, manually-operated (Section 1) firearms have become popular. SGC started busi- Top: SGC Straight Pull Speedmaster.

The receiver is a 7075-T6 alloy, Magpul PRS adjustable stock and pistol grip, SGC quick release forend, and Walther R50 barrel. Designed for SGC Straight Pull Receivers and Carriers with twin tapped holes. Offered in 100mm, 125mm, and 150mm lengths, these cocking levers allow adjustment of the cocking knob to the user’s preference. ness in 1969 when Robert Clark was working a gunsmithing apprenticeship and earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Due to legislation in the United Kingdom first banning semi-automatic rifles and then pistols in 1997, Clark started looking for anew line to try and carry on with. He went to SHOT Show in 1997 where he met and became friends with Randy Luth of DPMS (now Luth-AR). That generated his interest in AR-15 rifles. SGC would collaborate with DPMS until they were purchased by Remington, starting by selling their straight pull AR-15 rifles in 1997 using parts from DPMS until SGC’s own manufacturing came on line in 1999.

They have stayed in production of many variants since then. By the end of 2021 SGC completed their four thousandth custom AR-15 rifle, helped by the expan-

Above center: The Lantac E-BCG has three knob variants and two handle mounting options have along and short (inset) to allow precise positioning with the included tools. A spring assist helps with opening and the CP-R360 "Smoothcam" Domed Cam Pin makes for smooth operation.

Features including an internally flared mag well, radiused Cam Pin slot, reduced diameter barrel extension area for precise barrel fit, rear set screw lug tensioning, and strengthened side walls to reduce flex. sion of the CNC equipment in their workshop. SGC has also expanded from United Kingdom to sales in the United States but their emphasis remains converting semi-automatic weapons to Section 1 UK legal firearms, either with their in-house components or with parts from American suppliers.

To this end, SGC improved use of manual operation by the original, rear-mounted AR-15 charging handle was not ideal so SGC created side-cocking handles along with anew upper receiver design to support it. The company dubs this configuration the Speedmaster as this straight-pull design is arguably the fastest manually-operated design. The SGC Carrier facilitates straight pull twin tapped holes in the carrier with an external handle attached. The Ultimate R/H Cocking Lever come 100mm, 125mm, and 150mm lengths.

The cocking knob can be rotated around the lever. By choosing the proper length and then adjusting the angle of the knob puts it in the best position for it to be immediately grabable by the shooter. SGC puts all of their options on the Straight Pull Rifle Builder available on their website, or gunsmiths can pick and choose the best options for their build. Lantac (Lantac-USA.com, offers similar options.

After the United Kingdom banned private ownership of semiautomatic centerfire rifles, shooters began improvising a variety of methods to convert these rifles into manual repeaters, usually by drilling and tapping the side of the bolt carrier for a handle and using a barrel with no gas port. Lantac- UK owner Paul Oglesby made rifles in this manner for a period before deciding that the system could be made more effective.

Lantac’s E-BCG (Enhanced Bolt Carrier Group) Straight Pull is a modified bolt carrier group designed for use in manually operated rifles where no gas system is present (or legal). The patented design is machined from 8620 steel heat treated to a 15N Rockwell hardness of 89.5+. The Ravens CP- R360 Domed Head "Smoothcam" Cam Pin reduces friction and wear to the upper receiver and creates a much smoother operation of the working parts, being turned from 17-4PH (Precipitation Hardened) stainless steel and heat treated.

All bolts are MPI (Magnetic Particle Inspected) for defects prior to coating and all parts are QPQ (Quench Polish Quench) Nitrided to AMS2753B standards. The gas key has been replaced with a guide that fits inside the top of the upper receiver. The carrier body has been reshaped to reduce weight and features an oil reservoir access hole together with spring to assist with bolt unlocking.

The E-BCG includes a modular charging handle system offering the flexibility of either a knurled, neoprene, or original steel and rubber grip design. These are attached with either a full-length straight pull arm or stubby side charging screw in base threading in a 1/4- 28TPI and tightened in place using a provided adjustable spanner. A lubrication port is machined into the side of the carrier so that oil or grease can be applied with the carrier and bolt in battery. The

Top: Robert Clark of Southern Gun Company shooting his SGC 9mm U/L, showing the lever at full extension with no interference from the long magazine. port aligns perfectly with a lubrication reservoir on the tail of the bolt, allowing the user to lubricate the mechanism without having to disassemble the rifle system. All components are machined from stainless steel and QPQ Nitride finished. The E-BCG is designed to function with Lantac’s USC (Upper Side Charging) receiver.

Unique Designs The manually-operated firearms featured here so far are updates or modifications of existing designs. Some builders have taken this a step further by making unique— even radical—designs. The first is also from the Southern Gun Company. In addition to their Speedmaster Straight Pull, SGC has made their 9mm Under Lever, a lever action PCC (Pistol Caliber Carbine) influenced by the AR-15. This latest lever action rifle is a result of SGC’s lever release rifles being banned in 2019.

No SGC rifle has ever been used in a crime but, of course, that didn’t stop the ban. The 9mm U/L lower receiver is made of 7075-T6 alloy with a Magpul CTR adjustable stock and pistol grip. The controls (safety, magazine release, etc.) are standard AR-15 and the magazine well takes Glock 9mm magazines in 17, 19, and 32 round capacities. The 9mm U/L upper has a bolt with a built-in tilting locking block that locks into a steel insert in the receiver.

A pair of lever extension arms located in the area behind the magazine well cycle the action when the lever loop is worked. The lower receiver is assembled with SGC trigger mechanism components and is fitted with an AR receiver extension, Magpul MOE pistol grip, Magpul CTR stock, threaded stainless steel barrel, and M-LOK handguard. The lever only needs a short throw to actuate the action, so extended length magazines (including long rearward-swept 32-round Glock magazines) do not get in the way.

Pivoting through a few inches of space from the front of the pistol grip toward the magazine, some shooters can cycle the action with their shooting thumb still able to reach the back of the pistol grip, making for a fast manual action. This is accomplished in part with a lever loop angled significantly downward, fitting flush across the front of the pistol grip with the bolt in battery. The upper receiver assembly features a SGC quick release forend and the barrel is threaded for muzzle brake.

The SGC 9mm U/Lisa commercial option. Now let’s look at some interesting custom options. John "Bricks" Brickey runs Brick Wur X Manufacturing (BrickWurX.com). With a company name based on his nickname, Brickey typically does custom one-off jobs. Many of his builds have a science fiction influence, such as his build that looks like the AER-9 Laser Rifle from the Fallout video game series.

The company started as a hobby craft for Brick Wur X and Brickey does not currently have an Federal Firearms License or Special Occupational Taxpayer permits but this is being worked on. The Brick Wur X Red Ryd-AR is based on the famed Red Ryder BB gun with a huge influence from the beloved holiday classic, A Christmas Story. Brick Wur X is prototyping a polymer conversion stock assembly, which will create a commercial version of the Red Ryd-AR and parts to work with any mil spec forged lower.

Work on the needed injection molding and parts is currently in the works, restarted since being delayed dur-

ing Covid shutdowns. Patents are in the works with the U. S. Trademark & Patent Office. Brick Wur X custom builds. PSA does custom roll-mark designs on their lowers for customers. They also offer a "Christmas-15" made with A Christmas Story movie motifs on it.

The Red Ryd-AR uses a Palmetto State Armory, as do most other American Gunsmith Mailing List Policy Like many other publishers, we make portions of our customer list available to carefully screened companies that offer products and services we believe you may enjoy. If you do not wish to receive these offers, and/or information, please let us know by contacting us at: American Gunsmith Opt-Out Program Norwalk, CT 06854 Please include your current mailing label.

This folding custom stock by ADF Projects & Designs replaces Ruger’s more traditional wood stock. The most radical part is the customized machined custom lever, shown held above Ruger’s original lever. The loop was rotated down about 40 degrees to accommodate a pistol grip. ADF designed a two-piece chassis to hold the Ruger barreled action using 3D CAD software.

Attached to the chassis area Magpul Zhukov-S folding stock, CAA AK-47 pistol grip with the front beveled to fit the new lever loop, and a Midwest Industries AK-47 forend. Like the soft glow of electric sex gleaming from a window, this non-fragile homage to a certain beloved Christmas movie is based on the famed Red Ryder BB gun. This inspired the Red-Ryd-AR but was specifically modified to better mimic the Daisy Red Ryder BB gun as a lever action.

Originally, Brickey’s lever-action design was only incorporated as a type of charging handle, however, the more the concept was developed, the closer it merged into a true lever action. All of the lever action mechanical provisions are contained in the rear stock assembly with only a lower front trigger guard sleeve being required to modify any forged AR-15 lower into this lever-action conversion.

The trigger guard sleeve requires very minimum modification to an existing forged lower, requiring only light Dremel work near the lower mag-well, and the addition of two drilled holes. Brick Wur X plans to offer an included guide jig when these are offered as a kit. The motif is obviously driving the nostalgia angle and the only improvement offered by a lever action AR-15 is use in places that restrict against self loading rifles.

Still, if a shooter is forced under such restrictions, they may as well enjoy some style along with it. Another set of lever actions are custom jobs by ADF Projects &

Above center: ADF was heavily influenced by the HK G11. The chassis and internal components are made from blocks and sheets of aluminum. The non-disintegrating 3D plastic printed, pinned links are advanced by the modified lever. Cartridges are pushed up by a lifter from the open-topped link into the awaiting out-of-battery bolt. Designs. Tony French created two unique designs, both based on the Ruger 96 44 Magnum lever action. The first is a folding custom stock that replaces Ruger’s more traditional wood stock.

The most radical part is a customized machined custom lever with the loop rotated down about 40 degrees to accommodate a pistol grip. ADF designed a twopiece chassis to hold the Ruger barreled action using 3D CAD software. Attached to the chassis area Magpul Zhukov-S folding stock, CAA AK-47 pistol grip with the front beveled to fit the new lever loop, and a Midwest Industries AK-47 forend.

ADF’s second and more radical lever action design came from the fact that the UK doesn’t have explicit ammunition capacity restrictions. There is no ban, restriction, or other additional legal requirements on the possession, purchase, sale, or import of high-capacity magazines in the UK for rifles, shotguns, or pistols. So the designer set out to create the highest potential capacity possible: belt feeding.

Top Far After spending about six months and $650 in parts and machine work, ADF created a bullpup, belt fed, lever action long gun also based on the Ruger 96. The design began as an exercise in computer aided design, modeling the Heckler & Koch G11 into a lever action. The CAD designs led to specifications for a chassis to hold the barreled action of the Ruger 96 machined out of blocks and sheets of aluminum. The CAD design part was almost conventional and similar to the previously described folding stock.

However, the belt feed added another element. The ADF bullpup uses a non-disintegrating belt consisting of 3D plastic printed pieces held together by pins. The 44 Magnum cartridges are held in a simple friction fit with the open end of the link up, the opposite direction typically seen in belt-fed machine guns.

This is because the ADF build uses a lifter actuated by the lever that presses the cartridge up and out of the link and into the awaiting outof-battery bolt similar in manner as the magazine feed the Ruger 96 was originally designed to work with. Of course, the linked belt can be made as long as the shooter cares to. Both lever actions required a redesigned loop. The bullpup also needed a lever action transfer bar that operated the Ruger action and actuated the belt-feed indexing mechanism.

An extended trigger transfer bar assembly with return spring was also needed to work the Ruger’s trigger mechanism now housed in an aluminum chassis. The laws that motivated these manual actions serve no value to society. However, it is a testament to these clever gunsmiths to build firearms that follow such restrictions while providing good shooting performance. AG